State Representative Joe Sheehan has thrown his full support behind a newly introduced Democratic bill that seeks to reinstate $480 million in funding for Wisconsin’s Child Care Counts program. The proposal is a critical part of Governor Tony Evers’s 2025–27 biennial budget plan, aiming to address what many lawmakers are calling a statewide childcare crisis.
Speaking in favor of the measure, Sheehan emphasized the growing challenges families face in accessing affordable child care across Wisconsin.
A Program Facing Elimination
The Child Care Counts program was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic using federal relief funds. It provided critical financial support to child care providers struggling with staffing shortages, reduced enrollment, and increased operating costs. The initiative helped keep many centers afloat, ensuring families could continue working while their children received care.
However, the Republican-led Joint Finance Committee recently stripped the program’s funding from the upcoming state budget. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and advocates, who say the removal puts thousands of families and childcare workers in jeopardy.
What the Bill Proposes
The Democratic bill calls for a $480 million investment to maintain and stabilize the Child Care Counts program over the next two years. The money would be used to:
- Provide financial assistance to licensed child care providers
- Prevent further closures of early education centers
- Maintain affordability for working families
- Sustain staffing levels amid rising labor costs
State Senator Kelda Roys and Representative Alex Joers, who helped introduce the legislation, have emphasized that the program is essential not only for child development but also for Wisconsin’s economic health.
Economic Ripple Effects
According to a 2024 report by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the closure of childcare centers directly affects employment rates, particularly among women and low-income households. Employers across the state have already reported worker shortages linked to the lack of available childcare.
An ongoing survey conducted by the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty highlights that nearly 60% of parents with young children have had to reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely due to childcare issues.
The Child Care Counts program, proponents argue, is one of the few remaining barriers holding back a collapse of the early education sector.
Political Roadblocks Ahead
Despite broad support among Democrats and early childhood advocates, the bill faces steep opposition in the Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate. GOP lawmakers have expressed concern over the long-term cost and whether continued state-level funding is sustainable.
But Democratic leaders say the investment will pay off by supporting economic growth and ensuring children have access to safe, quality learning environments.
Statewide rallies and public petitions have begun to emerge, urging legislators to consider the long-term consequences of defunding the program.
Community Voices Weigh In
In interviews with local news outlets, many parents and childcare workers have voiced their fears. One Milwaukee daycare director, speaking anonymously, said her facility is already preparing for layoffs if funding isn’t restored.
Others worry that without help, the few remaining childcare options in rural areas may disappear entirely, forcing parents to drive hours or make tough choices about their employment.